Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship

The Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship, administered by the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (NCPD) at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), is an annual award recognizing arts writers of color. The fellowship addresses the historical dominance of elitist, Eurocentric perspectives in arts writing and seeks to support writers of color in bringing their own cultural and political perspectives to criticism and journalism about visual, performing, and media arts.

Two emerging writers of color are selected annually, each receiving a $5,000 unrestricted award to be spent over a six-month period. Funds may be used for any purpose that helps fellows advance their careers, including paying themselves to write. In addition to the cash award, fellows have the opportunity to write about an exhibition for the NCPD blog and deliver a talk at NCPD@JANM on their work. A brief written report in the form of a letter accounting for the use of funds is required at the end of the fellowship period; no receipts or other documentation is required.

Eligible applicants must reside in the United States, identify as a member of a community with ancestry in one of the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands, have two to five years of demonstrated publication experience (which may include a blog or self-publishing), and be at least 18 years of age. Immediate relatives of JANM or NCPD employees are not eligible. Application materials include name and contact information, artist's statement (1000 character limit), cover letter (1-2 pages), resume or CV (1-2 pages) including all relevant published works, short biography (500 words), and up to three writing samples in Word or PDF format (not to exceed 3,000 words total). Writing samples should include information about where and when the piece was published; links to websites are not a substitute for actual written samples, and works whose final published form is an interview should not be submitted.